Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Born at Bosco, near Alexandria, Lombardy, 17 Jan., 1504 elected 7 Jan., 1566; died 1 May, 1572. Being of a poor though noble family his lot would have been to follow a trade, but he was taken in by the Dominicans of Voghera, where he received a good education and was trained in the way of solid and austere piety. He entered the order, was ordained in 1528, and taught theology and philosophy for sixteen years. In the meantime he was master of novices and was on several occasions elected prior of different houses of his order in which he strove to develop the practice of the monastic virtues and spread the spirit of the holy founder. He himself was an example to all. He fasted, did penance, passed long hours of the night in meditation and prayer, traveled on foot without a cloak in deep silence, or only speaking to his companions of the things of God. In 1556 he was made Bishop of Sutri by Paul IV. His zeal against heresy caused him to be selected as inquisitor of the faith in Milan and Lombardy, and in 1557 Paul II made him a cardinal and named him inquisitor general for all Christendom. In 1559 he was transferred to Mondovi, where he restored the purity of faith and discipline, gravely impaired by the wars of Piedmont. Frequently called to Rome, he displayed his unflinching zeal in all the affairs on which he was consulted. Thus he offered an insurmountable opposition to Pius IV when the latter wished to admit Ferdinand de’ Medici, then only thirteen years old, into the Sacred College. Again it was he who defeated the project of Maximilian II, Emperor of Germany, to abolish ecclesiastical celibacy. On the death of Pius IV, he was, despite his tears and entreaties, elected pope, to the great joy of the whole Church.

Pope Saint Pius V by El Greco

He began his pontificate by giving large alms to the poor, instead of distributing his bounty at haphazard like his predecessors. As pontiff he practiced the virtues he had displayed as a monk and a bishop. His piety was not diminished, and, in spite of the heavy labours and anxieties of his office, he made at least two meditations a day on bended knees in presence of the Blessed Sacrament. In his charity he visited the hospitals, and sat by the bedside of the sick, consoling them and preparing them to die. He washed the feet of the poor, and embraced the lepers. It is related that an English nobleman was converted on seeing him kiss the feet of a beggar covered with ulcers. He was very austere and banished luxury from his court, raised the standard of morality, laboured with his intimate friend, St. Charles Borromeo, to reform the clergy, obliged his bishops to reside in their dioceses, and the cardinals to lead lives of simplicity and piety. He diminished public scandals by relegating prostitutes to distant quarters, and he forbade bull fights. He enforced the observance of the discipline of the Council of Trent, reformed the Cistercians, and supported the missions of the New World. In the Bull “In Coena Domini” he proclaimed the traditional principles of the Roman Church and the supremacy of the Holy See over the civil power.

But the great thought and the constant preoccupation of his pontificate seems to have been the struggle against the Protestants and the Turks. In Germany he supported the Catholics oppressed by the heretical princes. In France he encouraged the League by his counsels and with pecuniary aid. In the Low Countries he supported Spain. In England, finally, he excommunicated Elizabeth, embraced the cause of Mary Stuart, and wrote to console her in prison. In the ardour of his faith he did not hesitate to display severity against the dissidents when necessary, and to give a new impulse to the activity of the Inquisition, for which he has been blamed by certain historians who have exaggerated his conduct. Despite all representations on his behalf he condemned the writings of Baius (q.v.), who ended by submitting.

Photos by Philip Serracino Inglott & Vincent Ruf

He worked incessantly to unite the Christian princes against the hereditary enemy, the Turks. In the first year of his pontificate he had ordered a solemn jubilee, exhorting the faithful to penance and almsgiving to obtain the victory from God. He supported the Knights of Malta, sent money for the fortification of the free towns of Italy, furnished monthly contributions to the Christians of Hungary, and endeavoured especially to bring Maximilian, Philip II, and Charles I together for the defence of Christendom. In 1567 for the same purpose he collected from all convents one-tenth of their revenues.

In 1570 when Solyman II attacked Cyprus, threatening all Christianity in the West, he never rested till he united the forces of Venice, Spain, and the Holy See. He sent his blessing to Don John of Austria, the commander-in-chief of the expedition, recommending him to leave behind all soldiers of evil life, and promising him the victory if he did so. He ordered public prayers, and increased his own supplications to heaven. On the day of the Battle of Lepanto, 7 Oct., 1571, he was working with the cardinals, when, suddenly, interrupting his work opening the window and looking at the sky, he cried out, “A truce to business; our great task at present is to thank God for the victory which He has just given the Christian army”.

Pope St Pius V sees the Victory at Lepanto. This fresco is in the cell of St Pius V in Santa Sabina, Rome.

He burst into tears when he heard of the victory, which dealt the Turkish power a blow from which it never recovered. In memory of this triumph he instituted for the first Sunday of October the feast of the Rosary, and added to the Litany of Loreto the supplication “Help of Christians”. He was hoping to put an end to the power of Islam by forming a general alliance of the Italian cities Poland, France, and all Christian Europe, and had begun negotiations for this purpose when he died of gravel, repeating “O Lord, increase my sufferings and my patience!” He left the memory of a rare virtue and an unfailing and inflexible integrity. He was beatified by Clement X in 1672, and canonized by Clement XI in 1712.

Below is a link to twelve shocking quotes that expose the homosexual movement's goal for marriage. The authors of these quotes are professors and writers who are pro-homosexual activists at the forefront of the sexual revolution. The utter destruction of the institution of marriage, the end goal of the homosexual movement, becomes undeniably clear in these twelve quotes that unmask the movement for what it is.

No longer can liberals say with a straight face that they simply want equal rights, but rather they want a moral revolution forcing Americans to accept the sin of sodomy. In destroying the sacred institution of matrimony, the foundation of society is destroyed, and ultimately, Christian civilization as well.

“As long as we’ve got to fight to make sure women have access to quality, affordable health care, and as long as we’ve got to fight to protect a woman’s right to make her own choices about her own health, I want you to know that you’ve also got a president who’s going to be right there with you, fighting every step of the way. Thank you, Planned Parenthood. God bless you.”

LONDON, April 26, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In 2010, high school science teacher Robert Haye was dismissed from his position at Deptford Green School after he responded to questions from high school students aged 15-16 by saying that homosexual activity is a “sin."

Teaching authorities subsequently banned him “indefinitely” from teaching at any high school in the country, a ban that was later endorsed by Education Secretary Michael Gove.

Robert Haye faces discrimination in the UK.

A London High Court rejected Haye’s appeal, saying that his comments were “inappropriate” and that he was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, the campaign group Christian Concern reported, noting that this is the first case of its kind.

Haye, a Seventh Day Adventist, also reportedly told students that it those Christians who worship on Sundays are “basically worshipping the devil."

Haye cannot apply to return to the classroom for two years.

In his judgment, Mr. Justice King said that teachers must present positive information on homosexuality “to enable students to challenge derogatory stereotypes and prejudice,” and that this policy reflected “modern British values of tolerance." He said Haye’s appeal was “misconceived and must fail."

Robert Ogilvy, Haye’s representative in court, said that the ban is “fundamentally unreasonable, unfair and disproportionate” and violated his client’s freedom of speech and religion.

The judge disagreed, saying, “This case is not about the right of a teacher to hold sincerely held beliefs based on the Bible in relation to homosexuality or attendance at church on Sundays. It has been about how those beliefs and views are manifested in the context of teaching in schools with young people with diverse sexuality, backgrounds, and beliefs.”

Haye said in a statement that the ruling was likely to end his teaching career, but that he would not recant his beliefs.

“God comes first,” he said. “Christians are now being persecuted in this country for believing in the Bible.”

“We have a right to believe and express what we believe, but people are now afraid of being punished for not being politically correct,” Haye said. “This country is a free and democratic society – but is it? Is it really?”

The Church of England and the Catholic Church, as well as other religious groups, lawyers and some parliamentarians have repeatedly warned the government that the civil rights of both clergy and believing laity who have religious or moral objections to homosexual activity are under threat from the government’s proposed “gay marriage” legislation.

“This case shows that even before any change in the law on marriage, people with strong beliefs on sexual ethics are being squeezed out of their jobs.”

“There is a deep irony that, in the name of ‘tolerance,’ people are being forced into accepting a set of values to which they have not subscribed,” he said. “The courts are actually propagating a growing intolerance and are failing to protect people’s freedom of expression."

A new ComRes poll released in February found that one in 10 teachers would refuse to cover same-sex “marriages” in their lessons, while one in six said they “wouldn’t be happy about it."

Campaign Director for the Coalition for Marriage, Colin Hart, responded to the findings, saying, “Tens of thousands of teachers face the real prospect of being disciplined, or sacked, over the government’s proposals to redefine marriage, creating a poisonous atmosphere in every staffroom in every school.

He pointed out that the “safeguards” in the government’s “gay marriage” bill – that they have called a “quadruple lock” – are all directed to clergy of the Church of England, that there is no wording included in the legislation that would protect lay people working in the public sector from legal action.

Michael Gove has reportedly agreed that teachers’ freedom of speech and religion will be curtailed by the bill. President of Gove’s Surrey Heath Conservative Association, Geoffrey Vero, told Radio 5 Live that Gove is “concerned” about the possible consequences.

“I think it has consequences for teachers, I think it has consequences for parents and children, and although Michael says in the Mail Friday that he has total confidence in the legislation, well that’s not what he told me only a week ago when I met him in Parliament,” Vero said. Even the “quadruple lock” that covers only Church of England clergy, is suspect, Vero said: “We don’t have total confidence that that is going to stand the test of time.”

Brendan O’Neill, editor of online libertarian magazine Spiked, has expressed his shock at how quickly the public “space” for disagreement with “gay marriage” has shrunk.

In his April 17th editorial, “Gay marriage: a case study in conformism,” O’Neill wrote, “I have been doing or writing about political stuff for 20 years, since I was 18 years old, during which time I have got behind some pretty unpopular campaigns and kicked against some stifling consensuses. But I have never encountered an issue like gay marriage, an issue in which the space for dissent has shrunk so rapidly, and in which the consensus is not only stifling but choking.”

He described being booed and receiving death threats after he criticised the proposal “from a liberal secular perspective."

Sunday, April 28, 2013

On April 22 members and volunteers of TFP--Louisiana campaigned in defense of traditional marriage at Texas A&M University.

The action commenced with the traditional three Hail Marys and the TFP battle cry, “Tradition, Family, Property -- America.” Flyers titled 10 Reasons Why Homosexual ‘Marriage’ is Harmful and Must be Opposed were politely handed to students.

Texas A&M is unlike other universities. Large numbers of cadets walk from building to building wearing khaki uniforms with well-shined shoes or brown leather riding boots. Cadets are clean-cut, disciplined and carry themselves with good posture. They inherit a tradition of excellence and heroism.

However, the rest of the student body wears another "uniform" from the insipid 60’s: T-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes, flip-flops or no shoes at all. Yes, I saw several students walking barefoot! What a stark contrast with the cadets.

Under a layer of apathy, many students supported the campaign and demonstrated their sympathy, saying: “Keep up the good work,” and “I wholeheartedly agree with you.” Some gave us a thumbs up or nods of approval. Of course, there were token liberals who disliked the campaign. These expressed their antipathy with foul language and insults.

One amusing comment concerned the TFP standard. A student said to her colleague in a tone of disgust, “that red flag is sooo... Christian.”

TFP member Elias Bartel engaged in a discussion with middle-aged man carrying a motorcycle helmet. The man admitted that the TFP arguments were philosophically and logically sound, yet he still refused to concede that same-sex “marriage” is harmful and should be opposed. After an hour and a half of activity, about fifteen hundred flyers were distributed.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

An account of several miracles indirectly attributable to the discoverer of America is given by the Count de Lorgues in his “Christophe Colomb.” The following relates to a cross which he erected in Hispaniola, at Fort Conception:

Nautical chart of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.

At the beginning of April, 1495, Columbus visited for the second time the Royal Plain, where the year before he had paused in admiration, blessing God aloud in the presence of his soldiers, and thanking Him for making known a land so beautiful. After the submission of Guarionex, the chief of that part of the country, the Admiral had received, in the terms of the treaty, authority to construct a fort at the entrance to this magnificent region.

Wishing to pay honor to the sign of salvation in this charming place, he ordered the mate, Alonzo de Valencia, to take a troop of twenty men, and with this escort, consisting principally of sailors and carpenters, to cut down a fine tree which he had marked for making a Cross. The trunk, cut square, formed the shaft, and the largest of the boughs was laid transversely for the arms. It may have been eighteen or twenty palms in height. This great Cross, conspicuously tall, was erected by the Admiral on a hill at the base of the mountains, from which might be seen over an immense expanse the most superb view of this superb plain….

The landing of Columbus, painting by Albert Bierstadt

During the prosecution of the works, having no priest or church at hand, he made his daily prayer before this Cross. He there assembled, morning and evening, the workmen and soldiers. He said his office regularly beside the sacred symbol…. Fort Conception is that spot in Hispaniola where he spent the longest time…. Moreover, he wished to sanctify this privileged place by building a church for the daily celebration of three Masses….

When the revealer of the globe, in reward of his discoveries, had been torn from his government, loaded with chains, sent to Spain, the Spaniards, following his example, continued to assemble there to say their prayers standing. One day the Cross, invoked with honest faith, wrought a miracle. Some persons were cured of a fever by touching it. Other sufferers were attracted to it, and recommended themselves earnestly to God. Many of them were cured. The Cross was called the True Cross, for it was distinguished by working miracles.

Columbus at Rabida. Painting by Eduardo Cano de la Peña

The name and the wonders of the True Cross were noised about. The Indians, oppressed by the Spaniards after Bobadilla’s assumption of office, having observed the respect paid by their masters to the sacred symbol, determined to destroy it. They came in force to the assault, and fastening strong cords of twisted fiber to the shaft of the Cross, tried to pull it down; but in spite of their numbers all their efforts were unavailing.

The Cross defied their strength and stood immovable. Discontented by their ill success, they tried to reduce it to ashes. Gathering large heaps of dry brushwood, they surrounded them at night with faggots of inflammable material to a great height and set them on fire. The flames broke out with violence. The cross soon disappeared in fire and smoke. The idolaters with their priests, the Bohutis, retired well pleased. But next morning they saw the Cross standing in perfect preservation amid the smoking heaps. Not even the color of the wood was changed, except that at the foot it was slightly blackened, as if a lighted candle had been applied to it.

“Cruz de Parra. A replica of the cross set in this place by Christopher Columbus, December 1492.”

Deterred and dismayed by this miraculous manifestation, they fled trembling, and afraid that they had incurred the resentment of the Cross, which they were persuaded came from Heaven. Nevertheless the vindictive violence of their Bohutis made them return to the attack, to try to cut it down with their hatchets of sharpened stone and the knives which had been procured by exchange from the Spaniards. The wood offered an unusual resistance, and they observed that the moment they had chipped off a fragment the cavity was filled in immediately, and their work had to recommence. Their frantic obstinacy gave way before this new wonder. Bethinking themselves that their united strength had been unable not only to pull down the Cross, but even to move it, and seeing the Christians paying reverence to it, they from that time prostrated themselves before it.

To these prodigies was added another, permanent and seen by all, which became each year a greater subject of astonishment, namely, the complete preservation of the wood, which, without my coating of tar or chemical application of any kind, defied the damp and the heat, which in that climate produce rapid decay. The Cross was not fissured or warped or worm eaten. It might have been just set up. Fifty eight years after it had been erected it was as perfect as the first day. Another wonderful effect made a deep impression upon the people of that part, and it was to see the Cross standing safe, untouched by hurricanes and whirlwinds, which had torn from their place and flung down to the earth trees and houses all around.

The miracles increased in number and notoriety. Oviedo, who was Governor of San Domingo, though hostile, as we have seen, to Columbus, attests that the miraculous Cross, which at the time he wrote, 1535, was standing inside the Cathedral, had been erected by Columbus himself at Fort Conception.

The Cross of Parra, also known as the Columbus Cross, is part of the original cross erected by Christopher Columbus in Baracoa, Cuba on December 27, 1492.

In 1553 the Cathedral was blown down in a hurricane, the chapel of the True Cross alone escaping. The whole town was a heap of ruins, except the Franciscan convent; but many of the inhabitants had in their houses or on their persons a relic of the True Cross, and of these not one was injured. The population had to seek another home, and the Cross is heard of no more. Rome had never publicly sanctioned the devotion to this True Cross, but an all-sufficient reason would seem to be the desire to avoid all clashing with the more ancient claims of a far holier TRUE CROSS. The miraculous cures seem well certified—Father Knight’s translation.

Friday, April 26, 2013

By John Ritchie

"The wind, snow and sleet made it somewhat difficult," said pro-life leader Kathy Potts who organized the protest. "Even so, 50 or so hearty, faithful souls showed up."

Those who gathered in opposition to the performance of the lewd V-Monologues held signs, prayed the Rosary and recited the Litany of the Saints. "We saw very few people going in to see the play," commented Mrs. Potts. "The fact that this play was allowed, especially in light of our Bishop condemning it, illustrates this is a symptom of a deeper problem."

Robert Burke sent the following account of the event: Summary of The V-Monologues Play Protest & Prayer Rally

Adrian, Michigan "On April 19 and 20 about 50 to 60 people peacefully protested Siena Heights University's student performance of The V-Monologues. The people participating in the rally were Adrian residents in general, men from the local Knights of Columbus council, Lenawee County Right to Life, Jackson County Right to Life, and Monroe County Right to Life.

"Two members of the clergy also joined the protest on Friday night. These were Fr. Timothy Nelson, pastor of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Jackson, MI and

Fr. Tom Wasilewski who is parochial vicar from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Adrian, MI and St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church in Brooklyn, MI. On Saturday, Deacon & Mrs. Gene Hausmann from St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church in Brooklyn (Irish Hills), MI joined us.

"Both nights we prayed the Rosary and other traditional Catholic prayers. We utilized a portable sound system and decried the vile and despicable play and exposed the lies and false claims of the play’s promoters. We held signs citing statements like “V-Monologues Un-Redeeming to Women.” We decried that this play was being performed on a Catholic university campus (or any campus for that matter). On Saturday, after reading Bishop Boyea’s statement about the play and reading the reason given by the two professors who sponsored the play and challenging the inherent hypocrisy and twisting of words, I delivered a clear message through the sound system to the leadership of Siena Heights University who supported the play: “Repent or Resign!”

"Friday night was challenging due to the unexpected change in weather. We had freezing temps, rain, sleet, and winds. Yet everyone came, prayed, and protested. On both nights there was a spirit of charity where we called out the SHU leadership and prayed for conversion.

"Our spirits were high and Our Lady was with us. On Saturday there was one lone dissenter holding a sign in opposition to our protest. He was joined by a couple of young ladies attempting to "pray" for the play’s success. However, they were overcome by our witness to Truth and our united prayers and petitions to Jesus and Our Lady and they soon left.

"However, I have some unfortunate news. Fr. Tom Helfrich, chaplain of Siena Heights University, revealed his total support for this play. After speaking with the counter protesters just mentioned, Fr. Helfrich walked across the street to our rally and began speaking with us. One of our protesters from Jackson admonished Fr. Helfrich for his support of the play. Not knowing this at the time I invited Fr. Helfrich to offer a prayer on the microphone. All was fine until his last line of the prayer when he said “the purpose of the play is to support women abused in domestic violence.”

"My jaw dropped and to make sure I remained in a spirit of charity I immediately led our Rosary. After that I made it loud and clear on the microphone that he was wrong and that was not the purpose of the play. To drive the point home I made the pro-abortion connection of the V-Monologues and Planned Parenthood who is planning to have Eve Ensler, the writer of the play, as a keynote speaker for a luncheon on May 9, 2012 in Troy, MI.

"There were a number of wonderful letters to the editor of the Adrian Daily Telegram from folks disgusted with this play.

"All in all we had a very blessed rally on both nights. It was the first public protest I was called to lead and I could not have done it without God and all those involved. And it was the first such public protest against the likes of this hijacking of Catholic social teaching in our Catholic university and Churches in Adrian.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit will lead us onward. The students of SHU and the citizens of Adrian, MI deserve to be formed in authentic Catholic teaching and discipline."

NEW YORK, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Anna Maria Chávez, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of the USA, on Sunday participated in an annual “Scouting Mass” given by the Archbishop of New York, Timothy Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. The mass was held in recognition of both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who have earned a Catholic Youth Emblem from the Diocese for completing specially designed Catholic action projects. Honorees included 27 girls from the Girl Scouts of the Heart of the Hudson and Greater New York Girl Scout councils.

April 25, 2013 (Breakpoint.org) - In a scene from Jurassic Park, Ian Malcolm, the mathematician skeptical about whether the park is a good idea, watches the T-Rex burst out of its enclosure and says, “I hate being right all the time.”

Thursday, April 25, 2013

On Monday, April 22, The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín officially “opened” on Broadway, to defame the honor of Our Lady and cast doubt upon Our Lord’s Divinity.

When theatergoers were warned that the play was blasphemous, they adroitly hid behind sophistic arguments such as; it’s only fiction, this is just artistic expression, or the catchall phrase, respect freedom of speech.

Fiction must have fictional characters not use the sacred person of Our Lady and Our Lord, and artistic expression and freedom of speech are not absolute rights!

For the second time, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) took to the streets of New York with their twenty-foot standards and marching band to defend the honor of Our Lady and Our Lord who are attacked in this blasphemous play.

They were joined by a group of 350 additional protesters in front of the Walter Kerr Theatre on 48th Street, New York City, which created noticeable presence upon the theater management and those that went in to view the blasphemy.

Chicago, Ill., Apr 25, 2013 / 04:07 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Residents and religious of a small Chicago suburb rallied to celebrate their so far successful campaign against the opening of a multi-million dollar strip club across from a convent.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Some 150,000 protesters protested the gay 'marriage' law in Paris just this past weekend. This came after previous demonstrations had attracted as many as a million demonstrators.

Analysis

April 23, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The French National Assembly voted for the text legalizing same-sex “marriage” and adoption by 331 votes against 225 on Tuesday afternoon. The Socialists were joined by the Greens, the Communist party and the Radicals and other leftwing groups, but also by Centrists and two members of the opposition UMP (ex-president Sarkozy’s party), in adopting what Christiane Taubira, the French Justice minister, called a “change of civilization.” A handful of Socialists, Communists and Radicals voted against.

Seconds after voting most of the opposition members left the chamber while the majority of the Left gave a standing ovation to the law. Clapping in rhythm, they chanted: “Equality, equality!”

A few minutes before the vote, the Assembly’s socialist president, Claude Bartolone, had reacted angrily to a move by the public in the galleries, when two young men started to unfurl a white banner with the word “Referendum.” “Get those enemies of democracy out of here!” he shouted. “They have no right to be here!”

An ironic statement, considering that president François Hollande and his government have consistently refused to listen to the hundreds of thousands of peoplewho have been protesting peacefully in the streets for months. Teargas and brutalities, police provocations and a growing tendency, in the government as well as in the mainstream media, to call all opponents “homophobic,” made the debate anything but democratic. 700,000 written petitions to the Economic, Social and Environmental Counsel, an official body which has consultative status alongside the Parliament, were simply ignored.

As to the Senate’s vote, which took place on April 12th by a simple show of hands in presence of some 50 senators (out of 348), there is evidence that it was manipulated. The presidents of the political groups present arranged for the virtual votes of the absentees to be published in the official Gazette and to be taken into consideration for the final count: socialists who were known to be opposed to the law were counted as having voted for it. Other points also remain obscure.

This evening, all the major towns in France and many small ones are preparing for demonstrations against same-sex “marriage.” Many will be followed by silent vigils by the “Watchers,” groups of peaceful youth who have been holding candlelight vigils in protest against the gay ‘marriage’ legislation.

The “Printemps français” movement, led by Beatrice Bourges, has announced that as of today, it has chosen to enter into “dissidence against François Hollande’s régime.”

“When all legal means have been used and failed, nothing else is left but disobedience,” the movement said. “François Hollande will be remembered by history as the president who has provoked the most severe social crisis in France since the May 1968 revolution.” Printemps français is asking French citizens to wear a black ribbon from now on.

On Saturday, a gay “marriage” show, “G-Day” will be held in the center of Paris. Exclusive and trendy, it will cater for men only. Its organizer, Claire Jollain, is aiming to reach the gay community because of its members’ “high incomes and expensive tastes”.

LGBT groups have voiced their satisfaction about the adoption of the law and several demonstrations are in progress: they are already claiming access to artificial procreation techniques such as in vitro fertilization.

When the result of today’s vote was announced, many church bells sounded the death knell.

The Catholic University of San Diego is hosting its second pro-homosexual “drag show” on April 25. The offensive event is called A Celebration of Gender Expression: Supreme Drag Superstar.

It's indecent. It offends God. It leads young Catholics astray.

You see, the university insists that the "entertainment" will provide "an open and safe environment for students to expand their knowledge, to deepen their understanding, to explore truth, and to mature responsibly..."

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Nearly 400 Catholics from 5 states stood across from the Walter Kerr Theater in New York City, Rosaries in hand, at 6:00pm on Monday, April 22.

Here are some photos from that event.

See report on the blasphemies in “The Testament of Mary” play here: REPORT

America Needs Fatima and the American Society for the Defense of Tradition Family & Property (TFP) members in full ceremonial habit carried a statue of Our Lady of Fatima on their shoulders while the group prayed and sang hymns in public reparation proudly defending their faith and comforting Our Lady as her name was being blasphemed within the theater.

PHILADELPHIA,April 23, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judge Jeffery P. Minehart dismissed three of the eight murder charges against Kermit Gosnell this morning, leaving five counts that will eventually go to the jury. The three dismissed first degree murder counts dismissed today relate to the accused murder of three newborn babies, birthed during late-term abortions only to have their spinal cords severed.

DISCOURSE It is narrated by Father Auriemma, that a poor shepherdess loved Mary so much that all her delight was to go to a little chapel of Our Lady, on a mountain, and there in solitude, while her sheep were feeding, to converse with her beloved mother and pay her devotion to her.

When she saw that the figure of Mary, in relief, was unadorned, she began, by the poor labor of her hands, to make a drapery for it. Having gathered one day some flowers in the fields, she wove them into a garland, and then ascending the altar of that little chapel, placed it on the head of the figure, saying: “Oh, my mother, I would that I could place on thy head a crown of gold and gems; but as I am poor, receive from me this poor crown of flowers, and accept it as a token of the love I bear thee.” Thus this devout maiden always endeavored to serve and honor her beloved Lady.

But let us see how our good mother, on the other hand, rewarded the visits and the affection of her child. She fell ill, and was near her end.

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EXAMPLE It happened that two religious passing that way, weary with travelling, stopped to rest under a tree; one fell asleep and the other watched, but both had the same vision. They saw a company of beautiful virgins, and among them there was one who, in loveliness and majesty, surpassed the rest. One of the brothers addressed her, and said: “Lady, who art thou? and where art thou going?”

“I am the mother of God,” she replied, “and I am going to the neighboring village, with these holy virgins, to visit a dying shepherdess, who has many times visited me.” She spoke thus and disappeared.

These two good servants of God proposed to each other to go and visit her also. They went towards the place where the dying maiden lived, entered a small cottage, and there found her lying upon a little straw. They saluted her, and she said to them: “Brothers, ask of God that He may permit you to see the company that surrounds me.”

They were quickly on their knees, and saw Mary, with a crown in her hand by the side of the dying girl, consoling her. Then those holy virgins began to sing, and with that sweet music the blessed soul was released from the body. Mary crowned her, and took her soul with her to paradise.

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PRAYER Oh Lady, Ravisher of hearts! I would exclaim with St. Bonaventure; who, with the love and favor thou dost bestow upon thy servants, dost ravish their hearts; take my miserable heart also, which desires so earnestly to love thee.

Thou, oh my mother, with thy beauty, hast enamored a God, and hast drawn Him from heaven into thy bosom, and shall I live without loving thee? No. I will say to thee with thy loving child John Berchmans: “I will never rest until I have attained a tender love for my mother Mary.” No, I will not rest until I am certain of having obtained a love – a constant and tender love for thee, my mother, who hast loved me with so much tenderness even when I was so ungrateful towards thee.

And where should I now be if thou, oh Mary, hadst not loved me, and obtained so many favors for me? If then thou hast loved me so much when I did not love thee, how much more may I confide in thy goodness, now that I love thee?

I love thee, oh my mother, and would wish for a heart capable of loving thee, for all those unhappy beings who do not love thee. Would that my tongue could praise thee with the power of a thousand tongues, in order to make known thy greatness, thy holiness, thy mercy, and thy love, with which thou lovest those who love thee.

If I had riches, I would employ them all for thy honor; if I had subjects, I would make them all thy lovers; for thee and for thy glory I would give my life, if it were required. I love thee, oh my mother, but at the same time I fear that thou dost not love me, for I have heard that love makes lovers like those they love. If then I find myself so unlike to thee, it is a proof that I do not love thee.

But this, oh Mary, is to be thy work; since thou lovest me, make me like unto thyself.

Thou hast the power to change the heart; take then mine and change it.

Let the world see what thou canst do for those who love thee. Make me holy; make me worthy of thy Son.

Thus I hope; thus may it be.

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Monday, April 22, 2013

By John Ritchie

The Catholic University of San Diego is hosting its second pro-homosexual “drag show” on April 25 at Shiley Theatre. The offensive event is called A Celebration of Gender Expression: Supreme Drag Superstar.

Screenshot of a promotional ad for the "drag show."

According to a statement signed by Carmen Vazquez, vice-president of student affairs, "students of USD PRIDE will once again highlight the principles of inclusion and diversity with their second annual 'edutainment' event..."

"The Celebration of Gender Expression," she claims, "supports the Church’s teaching on the dignity of the human person and does not promote either behavior or lifestyle that is contrary to the teachings of the Church."

However, multiple eye-witness accounts of last year's "drag show" tell a very different story. This is how one student described it:

The event felt more like an underhanded attempt at indoctrination than anything else. This feeling was furthered by the banning of video, photography, and audio recording, which came across as a desire for secrecy. Even worse, the hosts of the event sought to encourage the performers as well as the audience, referring to them as “revolutionaries,” to take a more active role in making DRAG, homosexuality, and transgender identity an acceptable part of the campus.

Some of the suggestions, which resulted were gender neutral bathrooms, an increase in DRAG related events, and gay pride parades. It became rather clear over the course of the two and a half hours, that the event was less about acceptance and more about an open rebellion against Catholic values. Make no mistake, this event fostered sinful behaviors and set the stage for more in the future.

For the administration of a Catholic University to take part in this scandal came across as a betrayal, not only a betrayal of the Church but also a betrayal of every devout Catholic student who attends USD.

This year's drag show promises to be more of the same. However, a group of concerned Catholic USD students has issued an open letter today, April 22, against the “Supreme Drag Superstar 2” show.

Speaking on the group's behalf, sophomore Ailsa Tirado points out how the drag show advances an ideology that is opposed to natural law, and serves to perpetuate moral confusion rather than provide true spiritual healing.

"The University of San Diego is unquestionably being deceitful by identifying itself as a Catholic University, while permitting the acceptance and promotion of an ideology that is in direct contradiction to the Catholic moral teaching and social tradition," the open letter states.

According to its mission statement, the University of San Diego presents itself as a Roman Catholic institution and, as such, embraces Catholic moral teaching and tradition. However, Catholic students are increasingly troubled by the promotion of activities and events on campus that undermine moral values.

"Catholic parents who send their children to a university that self-identifies and advertises itself as Catholic," the open letter continues, "should be able to expect at least basic standards of decency and morality. As students, we are obligated to hold our school accountable to that statement, that commitment, which it has made to us the students, and which it is not fulfilling."

The University of San Diego has three pro-homosexual clubs: Pride, Rainbow Educators and Safe Space Allies. This might explain why the university features web site links to the Human Rights Campaign, the pro-abortion National Organization for Women (NOW) and V-Day as "resources." It also might explain why the Student Senate at USD voted to cut its affiliation with Chick-fil-A after its owner expressed his support for traditional marriage.

So much for "diversity" of opinion.

This "drag show" is only part of a larger movement to distort the meaning of marriage, and destroy God's plan.

Joyce Fecteau, who is in her seventies, was arrested outside the facility in January after pro-abortion demonstrators Lisa Cox and Katherine Norlin accused Fecteau of spraying them with an “unknown substance."

The pair said the incident occurred December 22 on the sidewalk outside the “Alabama Women's Center for Reproductive Alternatives” abortion business in Huntsville, while they were escorting a woman inside.

Fecteau said that she sprayed the holy water because another one of the pro-abortion demonstrators was burning a “smudge stick” – a bundle of sage and other dried herbs frequently used in New Age, pagan, and Shamanist rituals.

Fecteau said the smoke was billowing into her face.

“I had been told repeatedly by my health care provider not to breathe in that smoke because it’s making me sick,” she said after her arrest. “I can't tell if [the holy water] drifted on this lady's face.”

Video footage of the incident appears to show the pro-abortion protester standing near Fecteau holding the smudge stick. Fecteau is seen pointing her spray bottle at the stick and spraying the water.

Fecteau's attorney, Trent Garmon, told the court that his client "had no intent to annoy, harass or alarm."

Cox and Norlin both expressed concerns that they did not know what was in the bottle.

Garmon told the court that in a video of the incident taken by Fecteau's husband, someone can be heard mocking the spraying, saying, "Oh, holy water! It burns!"

The police officer that was called to the scene testified that Fecteau had never displayed agressive behavior while protesting outside the clinic. He said that the pro-abortion protesters had told him they thought the bottle might contain vegetable oil, but that he verified that it was water.

According to WHNT, if convicted Fecteau faces a potential maximum sentence of three months in jail and a $500 fine on each count of harassment.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

GRAPEVINE, TX, April 19, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Boy Scouts of America will propose a measure to allow openly gay members to join the Scouts for the first time in its century-long history, despite the fact that a survey found almost two-thirds of stakeholders support the current policy, the organization announced on Friday.

The resolution would allow homosexual scouts to join, but ban adult homosexuals from being scoutmasters.

“No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone,” the proposal states.

The BSA released a statement saying it had received 200,000 responses to its questionaire on the policy. In a summary of its findings, it found, “Respondents support the current policy by a 61 percent to 34 percent margin.”

Fully “72 percent of chartered organizations support” the current policy they announced.

Critics on both sides of the issue have said they find the policy incomprehensible, considering the fact that Scouting is based on moving upward in leadership, finally from Eagle Scout to Scoutmaster.

“The proposal says, in essence, that homosexuality is morally acceptable until a boy turns 18 - then, when he comes of age, he's removed from the Scouts,” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins. “The policy is incoherent and, sadly, an affront to the notion that Scouts are brave, reverent, and 'morally straight.'”

He added that it “requires all Scouting families and faith-based organizations that object to homosexuality on religious grounds to affirm its moral validity.”

The summary of findings said a policy change would cost the Scouts a minimum of 100,000 to 350,000 members. “It is believed any gain in membership because of a change to the membership policy related to youth and adults would be in the range of 10,000 to 20,000 youth,” it states.

In addition to most councils strongly supporting the current policy of total exclusion, 51 percent of current major donors to councils support the current policy.

However, the survey found, “A majority of the Fortune 500 companies support a change in our current policy.”

“A majority of current and former corporations that currently have or had sponsorship-type relationships with the BSA do not support the current policy,” it added.

The text of the resolution states, “the Scout Oath begins with duty to God and the Scout Law ends with a Scout's obligation to be reverent, and that will always remain a core value of the Boy Scouts of America.”

“Any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting,” it continues. But “the Boy Scouts of America does not have an agenda on the matter of sexual orientation, and resolving this complex issue is not the role of the organization, nor may any member use Scouting to promote or advance any social or political position or agenda.”

TFP Student Action is holding a petition drive to encourage the Scouts to maintain their current policy. Those interested may sign the petition here.

The full proposed Boy Scouts resolution reads:

WHEREAS, it is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law:

Scout Oath

Scout Law

On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country And to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, Mentally awake, and morally straight.

A Scout is:Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind

Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent

AND WHEREAS, duty to God, duty to country, duty to others, and duty to oneself are each a core value and immutable tenet of the Boy Scouts of America; and

WHEREAS, the Scout Oath begins with duty to God and the Scout Law ends with a Scout's obligation to be reverent, and that will always remain a core value of the Boy Scouts of America, and the values set forth in the Scout Oath and Law are fundamental to the BSA and central to teaching young people to make better choices over their lifetimes; and

WHEREAS, the vision of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Scout Law; and

WHEREAS, for more than 103 years, programs of the Boy Scouts of America have been delivered to youth members through cooperation with chartered organizations that select adult leaders who meet the organization's standards as well as the leadership standards of the Boy Scouts of America; and

WHEREAS, numerous independent experts have recognized that the programs protecting Scouts today, which include effective screening, education and training, and clear policies to protect youth and provide for their privacy, are among the best in the youth-serving community; and

WHEREAS, the current adult leadership standard of the Boy Scouts of America states:

The applicant must possess the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary to afford positive leadership to youth. The applicant must also be the correct age, subscribe to the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and abide by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.

While the BSA does not proactively inquire about sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.

AND WHEREAS, Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether homosexual or heterosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting; and

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America does not have an agenda on the matter of sexual orientation, and resolving this complex issue is not the role of the organization, nor may any member use Scouting to promote or advance any social or political position or agenda; and

WHEREAS, youth are still developing, learning about themselves and who they are, developing their sense of right and wrong, and understanding their duty to God to live a moral life; and

WHEREAS, America needs Scouting, and the organization's policies must be based on what is in the best interest of its young people, and the organization will work to stay focused on that which unites us, and

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America will maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America, and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The following membership standard for youth members of the Boy Scouts of America is hereby adopted and approved, effective Jan. 1, 2014:

Youth membership in the Boy Scouts of America is open to all youth who meet the specific membership requirements to join the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, and Venturing programs. Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.

TFP Student Action volunteers meet people from all walks of life when they tour the country in defense of moral values. The two-minute unplanned, impromptu recording was captured during a campaign for traditional marriage in White Plains, New York.

This is what he said: God said, "Be fruitful and multiply." How are you multiplying if you're -- I'm not saying a bad word -- but it says homosexual. If you're a homosexual, it's wrong. Seek help. It's like a drug condition. It's just wrong. There's help to be got. People, there really is!

It's about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

If God wanted it to be that way, He would have made Adam and Steve, or two females. But He didn't. He made man and took the ribs and made woman as his support, as his comforter, as his everything; not the other way around.

My nine year-old step-daughter saw this [homosexual lifestyle] on TV the other night and she was like, "Oh, so it's okay." And it's wrong. You're sending the wrong message to the kids.

They can tell kids it's okay for a guy to kiss a guy, but they can tell a kid that it's NOT okay for them to say "God bless America?" Does anyone else not see the problem with that? It's wrong. It's wrong. You hear the kids? It's about the kids.

How do you expect to keep a country running, a nation running, a world running, if you're teaching the kids to be... I don't get it. I don't get it. It's actually upsetting if you think about it. Okay, look. You get gay parades. Men and women have been getting married since the beginning of time, going through the hardships which life throw at us. We have nothing to honor that.

Nothing at all. Not a day. Not an event. Nothing.

Can we get some equal rights? Talking about equality. Can we get some equal rights for being straight? Can we get a medal or something? I mean, like, a guy has been married to the same girl for fifty-four years! That's a lifetime! That's a lifetime! He didn't get anything for that. Nothing at all and yet you guys want to give a parade for...

(CNSNews.com) - President Barack Obama--who according to a unanimous declaration of all the Catholic bishops of the United States is violating the civil rights of American Catholics by forcing them to act against their faith in a matter involving the life and death of innocent human beings--will speak Thursday morning at the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Some friends discussed the issue of the chastisement the other day, and some thought it was coming, while others thought it was already here.

I tend to agree with those who say we are already in it. Just look at the chaos in the minds, the lack of ability to see the difference between good and evil, the confusion and scandal inside Holy Mother Church, the growing killings of Catholics worldwide, and the terrible natural disasters.

This, however, does not mean that even worse chastisements are not ahead of us in case mankind still does not convert and stop offending God with sin and crime and every type of vice possible.

"If They Do Not Stop Offending God"

The Fatima message can be summed up in a vehement appeal for the world's conversion. The Blessed Mother presented the devotion to her Immaculate Heart as a means to obtain special graces for that conversion. This devotion is to be manifested in the Communion of Reparation of the First Saturdays and the consecration of Russia the way that Our Lady requested.

If that way of mercy were rejected, justice would be meted out with the succession of chastisements that the Mother of God enumerated to the little shepherds.

A Succession of Chastisements

Our Lady listed the following punishments "if [men] do not stop offending God":

1. "In the reign of Pius XI another worse [war] will begin;

2. "Russia . . . will spread its errors throughout the world;

3. "Promoting wars and persecutions of the Church;

4. "The good will be martyred;

5. "The Holy Father will have much to suffer;

6. "Many nations will be annihilated."

When, after this whole series of punishments, men finally turn to God and a conversion takes place, not just of individuals but of society as such; of nations, recognizing the social kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Reign of Mary, then her promise will be realized: "Finally, My Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, it will convert and the world will be given some time of peace."

"Promoting Wars . . . "

1) It would be well to emphasize that Our Lady distinguishes between two types of war that would come as punishment: the Second World War and the "wars" caused by the diffusion of the "errors of Russia."

After the Fatima apparitions, in addition to the Second World War there were countless other wars, some clearly caused by Communists (such as in Korea and Vietnam, or the Chinese Civil War known as the "Nationalist-Communist Civil War" of 1927–1949, which culminated with the implantation of the Communist regime in China).

The Communist factor was also at work in other wars such as the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939 or the Greek Civil War of 1944–1945 and 1946–1949, in which the Communists were defeated; and in the colonial wars in Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. Furthermore, Communist guerrilla warfare spread on various continents, with guerrilla groups still very active in South America, Asia and Africa. Finally, are the "errors of Russia" not been favored by Islamic terrorism, which seeks to destroy what still remains of Christian civilization in the Western world? How else can one explain the ill-disguised sympathy of the international left toward Islamic terrorists?

". . . Persecutions of the Church . . ."

The Church has been suffering two types of persecution: bloody persecution in some countries, especially in Muslim and Communist ones, and persecution by means of laws and restrictions on the preaching of Church doctrine, particularly in reference to morals, and through a continuing wave of blasphemies and insults.

". . . The Good Will Be Martyred . . ."

Note that Our Lady said that the "good" will be martyred. This appears to indicate that a time will come when it will suffice for anyone to want to be good, that is, faithful to the observance of the Ten Commandments or simply of the Natural Law, even without taking any militant or challenging stance, to become a victim of those who propagate or uphold the "errors of Russia."

As a matter of fact, the homosexual movement has acquired such power these days in the United States and in countless other countries where "hate crime" laws have been approved, that one can ask whether that persecution is not already quite advanced. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly difficult for anyone to live in a way consistent with right principles and reject unnatural sexual practices without being subject to retaliation.

". . . The Holy Father Will Have Much to Suffer . . ."

This is the consequence of the persecution against the Church and the good. The Church is not only the custodian of Divine Revelation, which the Church explains with authority, but is also the guardian of Natural Law. The Church cannot, in any case, accept as legitimate acts such as free love and homosexual practice that are aberrant to nature because these are contrary to their natural end.

Sooner or later, the scorn media has been pouring on Catholics and the Church will turn against the Holy Father himself, as the attack on Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1981, the text of the third part of the Message, issued by the Holy See, and the prophecies of Jacinta lead to suppose.

". . . Many Nations Will Be Annihilated . . ."

This statement has a political meaning, signifying that many nations will lose their sovereignty and cease to exist as independent nations; a physical, material meaning, as a result of cataclysms of great magnitude such as a giant tsunami that destroys a whole coastal area; or a succession of earthquakes, seaquakes and fires; or still, a nuclear hecatomb that sweeps entire nations, leaving them totally depopulated, destroyed, "annihilated"; and a psychological and cultural meaning: as occurred, for example, with the Roman Empire of the West as a consequence of the barbarian invasions.

Instead of Conversion, a Challenge to God

Unfortunately, instead of heeding the merciful appeals of Our Lady at Fatima, men appear to have chosen the way of perdition, except for a considerable minority of people who take the Blessed Mother's words seriously and that, thanks be to God, has been growing steadily over the years.

Men have not only chosen the way of sin but have picked forms of sin that do not stem from weakness, albeit culpable, but constitute a type of sin in which the sinner takes pride, despises and persecutes virtue and, even worse, challenges God.

Abortion becomes the official law of the land, unions against nature are placed on equal footing with marriage, euthanasia is adopted, people wear clothes that emphasize the most intimate parts of the human body, nudism or semi-nudism spreads on the beaches—all this is a proclamation of rejection of the Law of God.

Even worse, challenging God's wrath, strident parades and demonstrations are held on the national and international levels to display "pride" for practices against nature, picking for this end the more symbolic places like Rome, the capital of Christianity, in the Holy Jubilee Year of 2000; and in 2006, Jerusalem, the city sanctified by the passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Can God remain insensitive to such grievous challenges?

The second part of this article is taken from Fatima: A Message More Urgent Than Ever by Luiz Solimeo

LOS ANGELES, April 18, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – When Vice President Joe Biden announced his support for same-sex “marriage” in 2012, he credited "Will and Grace," a 1990s sitcom about a gay man and his female roommate, with making homosexuality – and gay “marriage” – palatable to the average American.

Commentators mocked the vice president at the time, but researchers with Ipsos MediaCT, a global market research company, have just released a study that may prove him right.

According to the report, 18 percent of Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 said that television has directly contributed to their increasing support for same-sex “marriage.”

That’s nearly double the number (10 percent) who reported television had increased their opposition to marriage redefinition.

“Based on this data, I think we can conclude that TV has, at least in part, moved the needle of public opinion to see same-sex marriage in a positive way,” Ben Spergel, Senior Vice President and Head of TV Insights at Ipsos MediaCT said in a statement.

“With everything from higher profile portrayals of gay characters, to celebrity support of gay marriage, to last year’s groundbreaking endorsement by President Obama, we are seeing a shift in our culture that is being influenced by popular culture,” he said.

Last month, liberal writer Andrew O’Hehir wrote an article for Salon crediting the American movement toward homosexual acceptance to television shows like "Will and Grace,""Roseanne," "The Real World," "Ellen DeGeneres," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Modern Family," and "Glee.”

“From 'Soap' to Ellen DeGeneres to Richard Hatch on 'Survivor' to the macho male couple who won season 4 of 'The Amazing Race,’” O’Hehir wrote, “televisual images of sexual diversity have gradually moved away from victimology and 'gay best friend' stereotypes toward a 'normalizing vision'of LGBT culture.”

“While the startling public shift on gay marriage – something few people of my generation, straight or gay, thought they’d ever see — is not solely the product of TV, it represents the ultimate fulfillment of TV’s vision of sexual equality,” O’Hehir added.

Support for same-sex “marriage” is on the rise in the United States. Recent polls show more than half of Americans support redefining marriage to include homosexual couples, and several states now allow gay nuptials in defiance of federal law.

Last year saw a sea change in attitudes toward homosexual “marriage” after President Obama came out in favor of such unions.